Do you think big is beautiful or small is uber cool? Perhaps your pulse quickens at the sight of all marine life. But have you experienced that indescribable moment when your heart skips a beat when you have your first encounter with a majestic oceanic giant?

Your Marine Big 5
On land, the Big 5 is synonymous with 5 animals every safari visitor hopes to see. African lions, leopards, rhinoceros, elephants and buffalo. With an astounding 50-80% of all life found in the ocean, which marine animals would make your ‘Big 5’?

Would you agree that whales, sharks, dolphins, mantas and sunfish should make the list? Now it gets more interesting… If you had to pick only one species from each category, which specific fish would make the cut? Each category has an extensive list, let us help you narrow it down a little.

Whales
The sheer size of the larger whales may be intimidating for some divers. But did you know that you can have an intimate experience with the diminutive dwarf minke whale (between June and August) at Australia’s Ribbon Reefs?

If you’re not overawed by the colossal size of humpback whales, book a Dominican Republic snorkelling safari. Consider Mexico if you have selected sperm, orcas and pilot whales as your whale of choice for your Big 5. It is unlikely (well actually impossible) that we will be able to arrange a blue whale dive safari, but if you have another whale in mind, let’s see if we can arrange a whale of a time for you!

Sharks
Would you consider one of the following for your list? Whale sharks, hammerhead sharks or great white sharks. Perhaps your top pic would be the elusive thresher shark or the ferocious bull shark? Have you decided on a different species? We can share with you the best locations where you’ll have the highest probability to tick your Big 5 shark off your must see list.

Dolphins
Top of many divers dream encounter is to dive with highly intelligent, playful and acrobatic dolphins. They are often seen leaping and surfing in the wake of dive boats. Unfortunately they are naturally cautious of divers and tend to stay away once you are below the surface.

There are a few exceptional South American dive destinations (Galapagos Islands, Cocos Island, Socorro Island and Turneffe Atoll in Belize) where you will have an increased chance of turning your dolphin dreams into reality.

Mantas
Majestic and graceful, a manta experience cannot be put into words. One simply has to ensure that at least once in your lifetime you too can be at a loss for words. South East Asia (The Maldives, Komodo, Raja Ampat and Sangalaki in Indonesia, Koh Bon in Thailand, and Myanmar) and South America (Socorro Island, Galapagos Islands and Cocos Island) are your go to manta destinations.

Sunfish:
The Mola mola must be one of the most unusual large ocean species. The German name for this fish is “Schwimmender Kopf” meaning swimming head, which gives you some idea of what Mola mola look like. They are also the heaviest known bony fish in the world. Next to this ginormous, ungainly ‘head’ one can feel quite insignificant.

Indonesia’s Lembongan Island (near Bali) and Komodo and some Galapagos dive sites, like Punta Vincente Roca, are the hotspots for sunfish.

Create your own ‘Big 5’ dive safari
Why not compile your own ‘Big 5’ list and email it to our friendly and efficient sales team. We can provide you a customised travel itinerary giving you the best possible opportunities for you to tick off your must see Big 5 marine megafauna.

Depending on your specific list, your Big 5 marine safari may need to take place across the globe and could mean several liveaboard diving tours. Remember that we offer the best price guaranteed AND returning customer discounts!